Internet Reacts Unexpectedly to Olivia Dunne as Iconic Past Videos Go Viral: “Could Write a Thesis”

“Gymnastics, you have filled my heart and will always be a part of me,” Olivia Dunne said through misty eyes in a heartfelt video she posted on April 21—the day she officially bid farewell to her collegiate gymnastics career. “You’ve shaped me into the person I am today, creating memories and sisterhoods that will last a lifetime beyond the sport. You are my first love.” In just 2 minutes and 36 seconds, the video traced every high and low of her LSU journey—from her earliest tumbles to her final salute on the mat. It was personal. It was poetic. And overall, it was pure Livvy.

Though her senior season in 2025 saw limited appearances—just four events—Olivia made her moments count. Her highest score, a 9.8750 in the floor exercise, wasn’t just a number. It was a reminder of her resilience. And with the NCAA’s newly implemented scoring system this year tightening the pathway to perfect 10s, that score became even more meaningful. Yet, almost as soon as the video dropped, so did the trolls.

“Isn’t this what most athletes do after college?” one comment sneered. Others echoed a sentiment that has unfairly shadowed Olivia Dunne’s entire gymnastics career—dismissing her as more influencer than an athlete, more hype than talent. The phrase “professional benchwarmer” wasn’t just cruel; it ignored the years of discipline and dedication that never made it to social media highlights. But then, 21 days later, something shifted.

On May 11, the Instagram account Planet of Gymnastics posted a montage that changed the conversation. The clips were raw. Real. Powerful. Olivia was seen flipping on the balance beam, flying across the vault table, and delivering clean lines on uneven bars. The standout? A jaw-dropping double Arabian layout—executed with the kind of elite-level sharpness that silenced skeptics in a heartbeat.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 20: Olivia Dunne attends the 2022 ESPYs at Dolby Theatre on July 20, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

“I could write a thesis about the misogynistic hate she gets every time she posts about gymnastics. She is/was extremely talented and it’s great to see recognition of her skills!!” One fan wrote under the post.  Soon, others followed suit, flooding the comments with messages of respect, admiration, and—finally—recognition. So, the trolls may have spoken first, but the true gymnastics community had the final word. And that word was gratitude.

Olivia Dunne may have taken her last bow back in January. But one thing is clear: Livvy didn’t just leave behind a leotard—she left a legacy. But do you want to see the impact of her legacy on her gymnastics fans? 

Olivia Dunne earns unexpected admiration from gymnastics fans 

The comments came in fast, fiery, and full of awe. “the punch front half to ring jump on beam is wild! ,” one stunned viewer wrote beneath Planet of Gymnastics’ May 11 tribute post to Olivia Dunne. And wild it was—Livvy floated across the balance beam with precision, grace, and the confidence of someone who had clearly trained in the trenches. The beam sequence was clean, crisp, and bursting with control—a time capsule of a pre-injury Livvy, back when she was grinding at national team camps, chasing elite dreams. But the surprises didn’t stop there.

“Impressive. Who else here has no idea? The front aerial illusion combo is so so elegant.” added another fan. Elegant is putting it mildly. The front aerial—a no-hands walkover that demands core strength, explosive power, and flexible fluidity—was executed with textbook form. Dunne didn’t just complete the skill—she made it art. And then came the move that set the comment section ablaze. “Love that Dos Santos II! ”  someone cheered.

Yes, that Dos Santos II—the double Arabian layout that’s considered more myth than reality in women’s gymnastics. First attempted by Brazil’s Daiane Dos Santos, the skill’s inclusion in the Code of Points has long sparked debate, with many arguing it was never truly “layout” enough to deserve the name. Yet here was Livvy, flipping it into reality with poise and control. Clean takeoff. Extended hips. Nearly stuck landing. The move that was once deemed “too theoretical” looked anything but in Dunne’s performance. Elsewhere, the beam buzz continued.

 “The beam connection though!” one fan gushed, and for good reason. Her fluid transitions between difficult elements—effortlessly linking one skill to another—embodied the seamless style coaches spend years drilling into gymnasts. It was the kind of work that doesn’t just show up under bright arena lights—it’s built in silent training halls, away from the applause.

But among all the technical praise, one comment hit hardest: “Then casuals will say she was an “average” gymnast .” That single line echoed the frustration of long-time gymnastics fans who’ve watched Dunne battle public scrutiny, not for lack of talent, but because she didn’t fit the mold people expected. Her fame on social media became a weapon used against her, minimizing the blood, sweat, and ankle braces that never made it into the filtered frame. Now, 21 days after her retirement post, the receipts are here. The double Arabians. The front aerials. And the beam magic. All of it. And the gymnastics world is finally clapping back—with facts.

 

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